Tuesday, January 28, 2025
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Katie Lee

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Marco’s Pizza to Build on 2024 Growth Momentum

by Katie Lee

Toledo, Ohio — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, enters 2025 on the heels of a landmark year. With 85 franchises awarded and 70 new store openings in 2024, Marco’s surpassed its 1,200th store milestone. Marco’s enters 2025 with a renewed focus on multi-unit franchise development, with 65% of 2024 agreements coming from existing franchisees. Key growth areas include expansion into non-traditional locations and international markets, including Mexico. “Marco’s leads the charge in growth, innovation and customer satisfaction,” says Tony Libardi, co-CEO and president of Marco’s Pizza. …

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Batteries Plus Marks Record Growth in 2024, Sets Ambitious Goals for 2025

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus enters 2025 following another record-setting year of growth in 2024. Last year, the growing brand signed 57 new agreements spanning 11 states and opened 30 new stores across 15 states. Highlighting 2024’s growth was a landmark ‘Market Stewardship’ agreement signed in Phoenix. This agreement represents only the second deal of its kind for Batteries Plus, building on the success of the program introduced in 2023. The Market Stewardship program, a hybrid of Master Franchise and Area Development agreements, provides franchisees exclusive rights to an entire …

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Atomic Wings Closes 2024 with Record Growth and Big Plans for 2025

by Katie Lee

New York City — Atomic Wings, a fast-growing chicken wing franchise known for its New York-style Buffalo wings, is celebrating an exceptional year of growth and innovation in 2024. With 22 units now open across the U.S. and a strong pipeline of development, Atomic Wings is on its way to achieving its ambitious expansion goals, aiming to open 30-34 units by the end of 2025. “What’s been exciting for us is seeing Atomic Wings expand beyond our traditional New York market,” says Zak Omar, CEO of Atomic Wings. “In 2024, …

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REI President & CEO to Retire; Successor is Named

by Katie Lee

Seattle — REI Co-op’s president and CEO, Eric Artz, will retire in March as part of a planned succession, marking a new chapter in the co-op’s 87-year history. Mary Beth Laughton, a former REI board director and seasoned retail leader, will join REI as president on Feb. 3, 2025, before assuming full CEO responsibilities on March 31. Laughton has held leadership roles at Nike, Athleta and Sephora. Her experience and personal passion balance strategic vision for the future of retail, innovation and operational rigor, love for the outdoors and appreciation …

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Krispy Krunchy Chicken Finishes 2024 With 605 Openings

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Krispy Krunchy Chicken®, one of the fastest-growing hot food concepts in the convenience store business with over 3,200 locations, is celebrating 2024 as an outstanding year of growth, menu innovation and operational improvements. The brand continues to reset expectations in the c-store foodservice space, supplying high-quality, craveable menu items to successful operators throughout the country. The brand opened 605 stores in 2024, and projects that it will exceed this number for new stores in 2025. With a new organizational structure and new products, partners and platforms, Krispy Krunchy …

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The Fresh Market Promotes COO to President and CEO

by Katie Lee

Greensboro, N.C. — The board of directors of The Fresh Market, Inc. has appointed Brian Johnson as president and chief executive officer (CEO) effective Feb. 3, 2025, replacing Jason Potter, who has decided to pursue a new opportunity. Johnson has served as chief operating officer (COO) at The Fresh Market since 2020 and brings more than 30 years of experience to the role. In the last 5 years, Johnson has helped oversee the expansion of TFM stores into new markets across the East Coast and Midwestern United States. Previously, Johnson …

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Danfoss Climate Solutions Appoints President

by Katie Lee

Nordborg, Denmark — Danfoss has named Kristian Strand as president of Danfoss Climate Solutions. He succeeds Jürgen Fischer who, after 16 years with Danfoss, has decided to retire. Strand, who is currently serving as divisional president, commercial compressors in Danfoss Climate Solutions, will join the Danfoss Group executive team and take over as president of Danfoss Climate Solutions on April 1, 2025. Prior to his current role, Strand served as divisional president, refrigeration & air conditioning controls, in Danfoss Climate Solutions. He has played a crucial role in the Climate …

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Panera Bread Names New Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — Panera Bread has hired Brian Krause to be the company’s new chief development officer. He will be responsible for driving strategic new store growth for Panera Bread, leading development planning, franchise development and sales, design & construction and real estate. Krause joined the company on Jan. 13 and reports to the interim CEO, Paul Carbone. An industry veteran in franchise development and sales, Krause joins the company from GoTo Foods where he oversaw growth-driving efforts for all seven brands including Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky’s …

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Radio Revolution

by Katie Lee

— By Caleigh Peterson — How Spice Village improved communication and store operations with two-way radios. With the retail industry facing more challenges than ever before, effective communication is crucial. A study published by the International Journal of Business Communication found that clear communication is correlated with higher sales performance. This is especially evident for the retail industry. To ensure a business runs smoothly, it’s essential for retail owners and managers to find solutions to address these issues. In the bustling heart of Waco, Texas, Spice Village, a sprawling retail …

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Weis Markets Names New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Sunbury, Pa. — Weis Markets, Inc. has promoted Bob Gleeson to chief operating officer (COO) of the company. As COO, Gleeson will oversee the company’s merchandising, marketing, advertising, store operations, information technology, asset protection and pharmacy departments. He will also have oversight of the supply chain departments including distribution, transportation and manufacturing. He will continue to report to Jonathan H. Weis, chairman, president and CEO of Weis Markets, Inc. Gleeson joined the company in 2018 and was promoted to vice president of fresh merchandising in July 2019. He was promoted …

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